Tribal Justice

The opioid epidemic has been exacerbated by the pandemic, especially in rural areas. Th peer exchange will allow visiting teams to discuss and share best practices, exchange ideas and knowledge, and engage in peer networking events.

TLPI's Tribal Justice TTA project includes Objective 6: Conduct THWC Survey of the Field (Wellness Court Strengths and Needs Assessment) and publish findings with associated tasks to prepare, disseminate, analyze, and publish results. Planning meetings occurred this reporting period to determine what measures need to be included and ensure this assessment is not a duplication of other efforts in the field. A draft has been completed.

During the 2024 Second Chance Act Conference in Philadelphia (which took place December 16-18, 2024) the TA Center met with 27 grantees at separate meetings and had contact with 85 grantees in Workshops and Sessions.

TLPI's Tribal Justice TTA project includes Objective 5: Develop publications with Task 5.1 to Develop or update four publications. Significant progress was made this reporting period for the first update to the THWC: Tribal Ten Key Components. Work on 3 additional updated or new resources will continue next reporting period.

Webinar description: Hear how tribes and their courts have exercised criminal jurisdiction or taken other steps to enforce criminal law on tribal ground.

White Earth is a FY24 CTAS PA 3 grantee. TTA Coach/Wellness Court Legal Specialist Jacob Metoxen set up an introductory call with Lori Thompson, Court Administrator for the White Earth Tribal Court. Local manuals from the courts White Earth is involved in with the state were shared. Wellness Court Specialist Angie Juárez-Monger will meet in-person with Gabriela Hanebuth and Jennifer Stangel who are on the HWC team at the New Grantee Conference in January 2025. Communication will continue next reporting period.

Webinar description for tribal court judges: Learn best practices for oversight of the attorneys who appear before you, from your bar exam/admissions to attorney discipline.

This webinar will introduce participants to the ways in which decision making occurs for both emerging adults (those 18-25 years old) and maturing adults (those 26-40 years old); how substances interact with the brain; the distinctions between substance use and substance use disorders; and how substance use impacts the decision-making process, assessments of risk and reward, working memory, and communication.

The TA Center participated in the 2024 SCA. All 13 of the TA Center's FY24 grantees were in attendance. In total, in addition to 67 community-based and Smart Reentry grantees. The TA Center facilitated the following conference sessions: “Culturally Responsive Behavioral Health Care Access in Reentry,” and “The Importance of Effective Corrections and Community-Based Organization Relationships.” Additionally, TA Center staff and subject matter experts (SMEs) hosted three breakout sessions.

Hosted second quarterly convening for tribal reentry programs and programs working with Native communities. These convenings are an opportunity for grantees to meet, network, develop peer-to-peer support, discuss successes and challenges, and exchange ideas.